Chief of Section, Public Information

This position is located in the UN Information Service (UNIS) in Geneva and the incumbent will report to the Director of UNIS and through him/her, to the Department of Global Communications (DGC) and the United Nations Office at Geneva. The post entails supervision and management of the Radio, Television and Webcast Section.

Under the general supervision of the Director, Geneva Information Service (UNIS), the Chief of the Radio, Television and Broadcast Section is responsible for the broadcast and webcast of the main meetings, media activities and events at the UN in Geneva; for the planning, production and distribution of multimedia news coverage; for maintaining highest editorial standards in all multimedia production by the Section (UNTV, UN Web TV and UN News); and for administering the section. Within delegated authority, the incumbent will be responsible for the following duties:

• Plans, co-ordinates and supervises UNIS's multimedia (video, audio, text, photo) coverage including news items, live broadcast feeds and webcasts of meetings as well as the production of feature stories and other content for UN platforms and for distribution to external media.
• Manages the Section through assigning staff, facilities and resources among the items of the work programme, while balancing competing demands, preparing production budgets, and requirements for external assistance; draws up internal procedures based on UN and departmental mandates, monitors expenditures on capital equipment and production and ascertains that productions remain within their proposed budgets. Develops, formulates and executes the procurement plan for capital equipment for the section; assists the Director in preparation of annual budgets and reports as required.
• Plans, co-ordinates and supervises UNIS contributions to the European Broadcasting Union (EBU) , as well as to UNifeed and other UN DGC platforms and programme strands.
• Plans, co-ordinates and supervises UNIS contribution to UN News, including production of audio/radio/podcast/vodcast news programmes, text, interviews and features in English and French.
• Plans and supervises the photographic coverage of selected United Nations activities in Geneva, and other extra-budgetary multimedia production.
• Coordinates and supervises select social media communications projects - especially as they relate to news and current affairs - including the production of tailor-made audiovisual products specifically for social media other digital platforms.
• Initiates programme ideas and develops/reviews proposals for co-production of multimedia/ video / film projects with other United Nations offices, specialized agencies, funds and programmes or with national and international broadcasters, or with Member States, and liaises with media channels to distribute United Nations material. Engages with potential funders of such programming and manages projects on extra-budgetary funds.
• Supervises logistical arrangements for visual coverage of major events by liaising with the visual media and arranging and managing access, including the organization or photo opportunities.
• Ensures the provision of efficient and effective multimedia services to producers, accredited correspondents and the information services of specialized agencies.
• Collaborates with relevant sections of the Divisions of Administration and Conference Management to harmonize the operations of the technical facilities.
• Deputizes for the Director of the Service in her/his absence, including to serve as UN Geneva Spokesperson when required.
• Represents the Service at inter-agency meetings, seminars, and other meetings relevant to communications, news and multimedia content producers’ community of practice.

PROFESSIONALISM: Has thorough knowledge of challenges and trends in communication and for broadcast and online journalism in an international context. Demonstrates a thorough knowledge of multimedia production and distribution. Demonstrates skill and vision in leading and motivating a talented multilingual production team. Understands political sensitivities in international relations and multilateral diplomacy and leverages this understanding to provide editorial guidance to news and content production from the UN in Geneva. Understands the United Nations system, its activities, and its mandates. Demonstrates ability and experience in managing budgets, procurement and human resources issues. Demonstrates ability to raise and manage financial support for audiovisual content production. Shows pride in work and in achievements. Demonstrates professional competence and mastery of subject matter. Is conscientious and efficient in meeting commitments, observing deadlines and achieving results. Is motivated by professional rather than personal concerns. Shows persistence when faced with difficult problems or challenges; remains calm in stressful situations. Provides leadership and takes responsibility for incorporating gender perspectives and ensuring the equal participation of women and men in all areas of work; demonstrates knowledge of strategies and commitment to the goal of gender balance in staffing.

COMMUNICATION: Speaks and writes clearly and effectively. Listens to others, correctly interprets messages from others and responds appropriately. Asks questions to clarify and exhibits interest in having two-way communication. Tailors language, tone, style and format to match the audience. Demonstrates openness in sharing information and keeping people informed.

TECHNOLOGICAL AWARENESS: Keeps abreast of available technology; understands applicability and limitation of technology to the work of the office; actively seeks to apply technology to appropriate tasks; shows willingness to learn new technology; broad technical knowledge of audio-visual media, including new and emerging technologies.

MANAGING PERFORMANCE: Delegates the appropriate responsibility, accountability and decision-making authority; makes sure that roles, responsibilities and reporting lines are clear to each staff member; accurately judges the amount of time and resources needed to accomplish a task and matches task to skills; monitor progress against milestones and deadlines; regularly discussed performances and provides feedback and coaching of staff; encourages risk-taking and supports creativity and initiative; actively supports the development and career aspirations of staff; appraises performance fairly.

JUDGEMENT/DECISION-MAKING: Identifies the key issues in a complex situation and comes to the heart of the problem quickly. Gathers relevant information before making a decision. Considers positive and negative impacts of decisions prior to making them. Takes decisions with an eye to the impact on others and on the Organization. Proposes a course of action or makes a recommendation based on all available information. Checks assumptions against facts. Determines that the actions proposed will satisfy the expressed and underlying needs for the decision. Makes tough decisions when necessary.

Advanced university degree (Master's degree or equivalent) in journalism, communication, international relations, public administration or a related field is required. A first level university degree in combination with two additional years of qualifying experience may be accepted in lieu of an advanced university degree.

A minimum of ten years of progressively responsible experience in broadcast journalism or multimedia communications, including at least five years at the international level, is required. Experience in supervision, team management and assignment planning is required. Experience in writing and editing news and reports for international audiences on tight deadlines is required. Experience with live news production and live-streaming is required.

English and French are the working languages of the United Nations Secretariat. For this job opening, English and French are required. Either Arabic or Spanish or Russian or Chinese (Mandarin) is desirable.

Evaluation of qualified candidates may include an assessment exercise which may be followed by a competency-based interview.